Central Focus October 2010

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Board changes schedule p. 3 Wrestling begins training p. 15

Fear factorTerrors are revealed as students

share their greatest phobias

Vinnedge rememberedSchool, community honor life of fallen alumnus

2

Delve 3-6 Be Heard 7-10 In Focus 12-14 Sweat 15-18 The Scene 19-23

Fear is an inevitable part of our lives. No matter how brave, or

cowardly we are, we all have fears of some sort.

Whether we are af raid of failing a task or terrified of insects, we cannot live our lives with a total absence of fear.

With it being the season of haunted houses, horror movies and ghost stories, the staff of the Central Focus has made the decision to evaluate the biggest fears of students and teachers at school.

On pages 12-14 we take a look at the biggest fears prevelant at our school. We also answer the question of where the line is drawn between being af raid of something and that fear becoming a phobia.

Sincerely,

Cory SchmittPrint Executive Editor

Lettereditor

Shotsfrom the

1. Pinktober

2. Chick-fil-A

3. Daylight saving time

4. NHS shirts

BOXLOVE IT

1. Hockey season

2. Admissions letters

3. Cooler weather

4. Monopoly at McDonald’s

LIKE IT

1. Recent teen suicides

2. Jungermann construction

3. Boys in “jorts”

4. Parking tickets

LEAVE ITCoverMr. Patrick Reed’s tarantula crawls

around in his classroom for the first time

since one of Reed’s students gave him the

spider. Many students cited that Spiders

are one of their biggest fears and have

issues with being around them.

Photo by Kelci DavisPage design by Kelci Davis and

Cory Schmitt

16

4 8

HOT

Francis HowellCentral High School

5199 Highway NSt. Charles, Mo., 63304Phone: 636.851.5636

Fax: 636.851.41

Editors and StaffCory Schmitt Print Executive EditorTed Noelker Multimedia Executive EditorKelci Davis Visuals ExecutiveEditorBrendan Kinnison Delve EditorAlli Keisker Be Heard EditorMargaret Borgmeyer The Scene EditorEllen Hinze Sweat EditorSean Carroll iFocus EditorMikelle McClintock Communications EditorMichael Roundcount Business ManagerAnna Gingrich Copy ManagerClaire Henderson Copy ManagerKyle Braden Staff ReporterKarley Canova Staff ReporterJolie Denton Staff ReporterDestiny Pipkin Staff Reporter

Kamrie Reed Staff ReporterDylan Richardson Staff ReporterJulianna Smith Staff ReporterVictoria Walker Staff ReporterJessica DiMariano Staff PhotographerPatrick Hurley Staff PhotographerMr. Matthew Schott Adviser

Letters PolicyThe Central Focus is produced monthly as an

integral part of the Newspaper Production class at Francis Howell Central High School. Students learn all aspects of printed media production and are responsible for contributing to each issue.

The Central Focus is a public forum for the stu-dents at Francis Howell Central High School. The staff ’s editorial policy is available in Room 139.

The staff welcomes comments and suggestions from the student body. All letters to the edi-tor must be typed and no more than 300 words. Names must be included with the submission of the letter, but may be withheld at the request of the author. The staff reserves the right to with-hold content at its discretion.

Opening

Delve 3

Vinnedge remembered p. 4 Political elections loom over the student body p. 5

Central Focus FHCtoday.com/Delve Page design by Brendan KinnisonOctober 29, 2010

$1M in change

By Ted NoelkerMultimedia Executive Editor

On Thursday, Oct. 21, the Board of Education voted 4-1, with Mr. Mark Lafata

and Mr. Marty Hodits abstaining, to approve a proposed calendar for the 2011-2012 school year. This will bring about significant changes to a system that has been in place in the district for more than 40 years.

“This will probably be one of the most important decisions the Board of Eduction will make this year,” Board President Mike Sommer said

during Thursday’s Board meeting.Since 1969, two distinct calendars

have existed in the district: a year-round calendar for primary schools and a traditional calendar for secondary schools. However, the Board’s vote last Thursday will bring an end to this system after this year. The Board approved a new calendar which will, among other things, put all schools in the district on the same “modified traditional calendar,” a hybrid of the two existing calendars.

Speaking first about his views on the calendar, board of education member Mark Lafata shows the board and the community a PowerPoint presentation he put together. The show highlighted questions and concerns he has had about changing to the more traditional schedule in elementary schools.

Photo by Kelci Davis

Please read more | Calendar, PAGE 4

Board votes to put entire district on unified schedule, creating earlier start, longer breaks

How it affects FHCu School will start Aug. 8, three days earlier than usual.u Fall and winter breaks will be two days longer. Spring break will be four days longer.u School will end at 2:25 p.m. each day.

4 Delve October 29, 2010 Page design by Ted Noelker

FHCtoday.com/DelveCentral Focus

School honors death of alumnus

Lance Corporal Phillip

Vinnedge, 2009 graduate of

Francis Howell Central, gave his

life in the line of duty on Oct.

13, 2010 when he was killed by

a roadside bomb while serving

as a Marine in Afghanistan.

After a week of honor shown

by the school and community,

Vinnedge was laid to rest in

Jefferson Barracks National

Cenetary on Oct. 20.

School will begin for all students on Aug. 8 next year. Breaks will get longer for secondary schools but shorten for primary schools. The year is slated to end May 23, barring any snow days. The calendar also cuts five student school days out of the schedule by adding five minutes to the length of the school day; this means dismisal will be at 2:25 p.m. next year. Also, only four half days will be present in next year’s schedule; for middle and high school, these will be the last two days of each semester. Wednesdays will remain early release days, however, for teacher PLC meetings.

The district is estimating it will save approximately $764,000 annually in transportation costs by running buses in three “tiers” on the same days throughout the school year. Additionally, it estimates a savings of approximately $232,000 annually by eliminating five days from the calendar.

The idea of a unified calendar was

first studied by a calendar task force in 2003.

“It was determined at that time that a recommendation to modify the calendar be withheld until such time as there were financial constraints that would prompt the topic to be revisited,” said Superintendent of Schools Pam Sloan. “The financial times that FHSD and the rest of the country currently find themselves in are unprecedented; therefore, another calendar task force of the FHSD staff, community and parents was reconvened in November of 2009.”

Dr. Reneé Schuster, superintendent of schools at the time, commissioned Chief Human Resource Officer Steve Griggs with the assistance of Director of Assessment Bryan Williams to lead the new calendar task force committee which choose its 20 members from a blind draw of about 70 who applied, according to Dr. Griggs.

After 11 months of committee meetings, study and collaboration, community engagement meetings, and community surveys, the calendar task force made its recommendation

to the Board of Education to consolidate the primary and secondary calendars into one unified calendar.

Much debate arose out of the nature of the decision, however. Board member Mark Lafata, along with a number of elementary teachers in the district, are concerned about the academic influence this will have on elementary school students and say the new calendar was crafted from a financial focus rather than an academic one.

However, others say the academic success of the district’s students is not correlated with its calendar.

“I don’t believe students learn better because of our calendar,” Board member Amy McEvoy said. “Our calendar has made us different and unique; it has not made us best.”

Similarly, Mr. Sommer and Principal Sonny Arnel attributed the success of the district academically to its academic programs, not to the calendar.

Thus, most agreed it boiled down to a financial decision for

Calendarfrom page 3

Elementary2010-2010

151615

Secondary2010-2010

596

District2011-2012

89

10

Lengths of breaks


Members of the community aplaud Mr. Mark Lafata during his presentation. Mr. Lafata recieved standing ovations at key points in his speech.

the Board. The nearly $1 million in transportation costs save what might otherwise be cut in district jobs or activities.

“We know we’re going to have a significant revenue shortfall,” Dr. Sloan said. “Moving away from a part of our culture is not easy, and I appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked through the process that led to [Thursday] night’s decision. Student learning is our primary objective, and as we move forward with the implementation of the new calendar, we will continue to closely monitor the learning of all of our students.”

By Ted NoelkerMultimedia Executive Editor

On Oct. 13, four Marines were killed in a roadside bombing while serving their country in Afghanistan. Among them was Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge, 19, Francis Howell Central Class of 2009. Vinnedge was the third of three brothers to have graduated from FHC.

“He was just a great kid,” Mrs. Kathy Bargeon, guidance counselor to all three Vinnedge boys, said. “He was determined to do his things his way, which was always the right way in my book.”

At school, Vinnedge was a wrestler and an active member of the 300. He was also an Eagle Scout, a skydiver, a welder and a member of a trap shooting club. Those who knew him well said he was always talking about joining the Marines after high school. Contemporary Issues teacher Mr. Tom Whelan said Vinnedge was aware of the impact of 9/11, which was what had prompted him to go into the military.

“And [Sept. 11] was a big part of the issues we talked about in class, so we clicked right away,” said Mr. Whelan, who also had

his brother Corey, which was another key to their immediate bond he says.

In fact, Vinnedge “clicked” with most people, friends say.

“He was a super nice kid. He wasn’t one to start fights,” said senior Nick Book, who was in the scouts with Vinnedge for six years. “A peacemaker.”

Vinnedge enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Sept. 2009 after graduating with perfect attendance. On Sept. 27, 2010, Vinnedge was deployed to Afghanistan. He died 16 days later when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.

Principal Sonny Arnel was notified by people close to the family and immediately had the school’s flag lowered to half-mast; the district and eventually the entire state followed suit. Dr. Arnel also sent out an e-mail to the staff on the morning of Oct. 14 informing the school of the death of one of its alumni, the first to die in military service to the country.

“Sgt. Arnold, the Marine recruiter for St. Charles County, knocked on my [classroom] door and walked in in full Marine dress and told me, and even though I already knew and he probably knew I already knew, he wanted to tell me in person, ‘I just wanted you to know you were Phil’s favorite teacher,’ ” said Mr. Whelan. “And that’s when it hit me.”

The school also observed a moment of silence at Friday’s football game. A poem was composed in his honor by senior Josh Flandreau. And on Thursday, Oct. 21, more than 3,000 students, staff and community members turned out between the middle

school and high school to line the main campus drive as his funeral procession passed by at the request of the family.

“I think it was one of my most proud moments as a Spartan,” Dr. Arnel said. “It was just magical the way we came together as a group.”

Dr. Arnel and Mr. Whelan asked the day prior for students wishing to pay tribute to Vinnedge to come dressed nicely that day.

“I was in awe when they had the entire school come out,” Book said. “I was not expecting to see that many people come out dressed up to support the Vinnedge family and Phil.”

The entire school felt a surge of patriotism that day.

“Even tough it was tough to deal with, the way our school dealt with it, to witness the procession go through the campus is without a doubt the most memorable day of my teaching career,” Mr. Whelan said.

Indeed, the school’s faulty and students will not soon forget the honor Vinnedge was shown that day.

“We’re so pround of him,” Mrs. Bargeon said. “Francis Howell Central has a hero.”

“ He was just a great

kid. He was good to

everybody. He was true

to himself. ”— Mrs. Kathy Bargeon

“ He made me feel like

I made a difference

and always came back

to see me. ”— Mr. Patrick Reed

FHC community unites to celebrate sacrifice of its solider

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in 5DelveOctober 29, 2010Page design by Ted Noelker

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More from the Nov.

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election ballot

U.S. SENATOR -

Democrat Robin Carnahan

Republican Roy Blunt

Libertarian Jonathan Dine

Constitutionalist Jerry Beck

STATE AUDITOR -

Democrat Susan Montee,

incumbent

Republican Tom Schweich

Libertarian Charles W. Baum

U.S. REP. DISTRICT 2 -

Republican Todd Akin, incumbent

Democrat Arthur Lieber

Libertarian Steve Mosbacher

U.S. REP. DISTRICT 9 -

Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer,

incumbent

Libertarian Christopher W.

Dwyer

STATE SENATE -

Scott T. Rupp, incumbent

Don Crozier

MO SUPREME COURT -

Shall Judge Zel Fischer of the

Missouri Supreme Court be

retained in office?

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6 Delve October 29, 2010 Page design by Cory Schmitt

FHCtoday.com/DelveCentral Focus

Marching band continues to climb

While performing for multiple bands at the end of the Coliseum Classic, the Spartan Regiment plays the entire show for the crowd. Though they could not compete in the competition, sophomore Amy Sweeney said “playing for exhibition is still fun.”

By Destiny PipkinStaff Reporter

“Now that we have Broken Through we are Rising,” said junior Sammi Strange.

Year after year, marching band has strived to do nothing less than blow the audience away with its show. Last year’s show, “Breaking Through”, left a hard spot to fill this year. This year’s marching band show is called “Rise.”

“Rise is based on the idea that we are going to be awesome and rise; the show is a lot more difficult than last years, especially in the drill and all the designs we have to make,” said senior french horn player John Gresham.

Along with the challenges the band faces with all the formations they create, Color Guard also makes quite a considerable appearance in the show.

“We’re on ladders the whole time,” said junior Genesis Carter. “I fell once; when I went up the ladder tipped, but it’s definitely worth it in the end, the ladders look really good with the show.”

The band puts in much dedication

and emotion into the show.“As a physical manifestation of the

theme, we use ladders to symbolize that we are rising, Color Guard uses them during most of the show, but then during the drum break the horns get on the ladder and use drum sticks to drum on the ladder. It’s probably the most intense part of the show and has a good crowd appeal,” said Gresham.

However, in order to have a good show with ladders for the Color Guard to dance on and horns to drum on, it’s a given that it is an expensive show, and when money comes into play, so does Howell

Central’s Band Boosters.“Band Boosters is made up of a

lot of the parents,” said sophomore Amy Sweeney. “Marching band has its own band account, and this year we have been raising money through car washes, entertainment books, and right now we are selling TJ pizzas, and all of that money goes to our band account to help pay for things like the ladders that the Color Guard is using in the show, our competitions, and over summer they bought new chimes for all the bands.”

As the band steps onto the field, millions of things run through their minds, but they stay focused and remember the band’s motto, a quote by Lou Holtz:

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

Tomorrow will be the last marching band competition. It will be hosted at Mizzou.

“The show is amazing. It’s so intense; I can’t even think of words to explain it,” said sophomore Carly Schlimpert.


“ As a physical

manifestation of

the theme, we

use ladders to

symbolize that we

are rising. ”— senior John Gresham

Heard 7

Sparknotes reduces education p. 9 Electronics overpower relationships p. 10

Central Focus FHCtoday.com/BeHeard Page design by Alli KeiskerOctober 29, 2010

Be

Trick-or-teenTeenagers go the extra mile just for candy

How old is too old to trick-or-treat? The line is unclear, is it a law or an expectation? Last year, I spent my Halloween watching

scary movies and passing out candy, and I noticed trick-or-treaters of all kinds, everything from five-year old kids decked out in their pirate and princess costumes screaming “Trick-or-treat, smell my feet!” to nineteen-year-old adults in a pair of jeans and t-shirt, simply asking: “Can I have some candy?”

If you are willing to put forth the effort to put a

costume together, than that would be one thing, but to show up at someone’s front door with no costume, and expect them to just hand over the candy? Well, don’t get your hopes up.

While there are no laws specifically stating you need to hang up the pillow case and costume at a particular age, trick-or-treaters ages 13 and up have been known to get a few glares along with their

Please read more | Treats, PAGE 8


Life comes with many u n e x p e c t e d situations and no guarantees, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be prepared for what life brings.

S o m e t i m e s we should expect the unexpected and think of possible outcomes. There are so many things in life that people just say “Oh, that won’t happen to me,” and they continue on with their lives as if everything will always be “perfect.” But newsflash, it won’t always be. Sometimes there are going to be bad situations that come into your life, and because you’re unprepared, you won’t have a clue what to do about it.

Take the gulf of Mexico for example, while the oil was spewing out into the ocean, BP was struggling to find a way to react to it because obviously, they didn’t suspect this would ever happen and were very unprepared. Just because people think things won’t happen, does that mean it can’t?

I mean, for three months there was thick, black oil spilling into the gulf. So what was BP doing for all those months?

I understand they were trying to cap the oil-well, but they should have been prepared for this to begin with. Honestly, you can’t tell me that not one single person who works for BP or one single person in general has ever had the thought that an oil spill could happen, and how they’d react to it.

If they would have had a plan just in case this would have happened, then so many families and aquatic life wouldn’t have been affected so terribly. Their actions affected many people who live along the gulf and many aquatic animals.

Please read more | Unprepared, PAGE 10

By Alli KeiskerBe Heard Editor

Preparedfor all outcomes

Photo by Dylan RIchardson

Freshman Evan Richards shows his Halloween spirit by dressing up in a Spiderman costume and holding his jack-o-lantern. He showed off his Spiderman costume by parading around throughout theatre department while wearing it.

8 Be Heard October 29, 2010 Page design by Alli Keisker

FHCtoday.com/BeHeardCentral Focus

One student body, one former student, and one lasting impact.

For those who were not outside last Thursday, our school was a sight to see. Our campus shone of red, white, and blue everywhere you looked.

While the school flag had been lowered to half-mast in honor of our Spartan’s death earlier that week, thousands of flags held by students were raised, hands over hearts, and most were dressed to pay respects for just one man.

It is sad such a terrible thing had to happen to one of our own, but if we have learned anything from this, it is that those who die in the line of duty are those worthy of our respect.

A Spartan was sacrificed for our rights and for just walking the same halls as someone who sacrificed themselves for us, we should feel honored to have the privilege to do so.

Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge died for more than just us though, he died for every person who makes up America; so while a terrible thing may have happened, we should choose to not feel sorrowful, but we

should choose to celebrate this man’s life and his accomplishments.

O u r school truly d e m o n s t r a t e d what it is to be a Spartan, by coming together as one to pay our respects to the death of someone who used to walk our halls.

The maturity and pride coming from both our school and the

middle school was tremendous. Up until now we have never had

an alumnus who has passed away while being in the armed forces, and so the memory of his memorial was one that will forever remain in our minds.

Hopefully, this day will be one that is never forgotten by the students, teachers, families, and families who lined the entrance to Francis Howell Central; we hope that for sacrificing himself for our rights, the memory of Phillip Vinnedge, and what he died for, never leaves your hearts.

And so we challenge you all to dedicate this year to Vinnedge, to take life each day at a time, to enjoy the rest of this year, and to find your inner Spartan, the way he did.

Staff editorialcandy on Halloween. So how much are you willing to put on the line for a snickers and a popcorn ball?

Senior Jonathan Gee claims he is not just trick-or-treating for the candy.

“I’m gonna be a legit dolphin,” said Gee. “Halloween is the one day of the year I can let out all my immaturity and just be a kid. I’m going trick-or-treating this year and when I’m 18, 19, 20, and 21...”

As long as you are respectful of fellow trick-or-treaters, despite your age, there is no real problem with a 17-year-old trick-or-treating. However, there is nothing more frustrating than opening the door to a teenager pushing all the little kids aside to make sure they get candy first. It’s all right to be excited, don’t get me wrong, I love candy too, but it’s crucial to remember that you have had your whole childhood to run from door to door getting candy, and I’m sure we all remember the big kids on Halloween that would shove between you and your friend to take the last big candy bar in the bowl.

Whether you like it or not, around age 16 its time to begin to let your childhood go a little bit and allow the other children the chance to have there childhood. This is not implying that you have to go return your Halloween costume, its just a reminder that you need to remember how old you really are, and be considerate of the masked children around you.

To show up at a front door without a Halloween costume and ask for candy is immature. However is it really immature to have holiday spirit? I really don’t see why older children should be denied candy on Halloween if they have a costume. Teenagers are not deprived of presents on Christmas. Halloween deserves the same respect as any other holiday, and there is most definitely no law in Missouri stating that you cannot trick-or-treat once you reach a certain age. Just show respect, have fun and try to keep in mind how you felt on Halloween when you were seven. The little boy standing beside you at the door is entitled to the same Halloween you were entitled to at his age.

“ We hope that for

sacrificing himself

for our rights, the

memory of Phillip

Vinnedge, and what

he died for, never

leaves your hearts. ”

Fallen soldier was a friend, son, Spartan

More than a marine

Treatsfrom page 7

Wordword of mouth word of mouth THOUGHTS ON THE STORIES WE COULDN’T FIND SPACE FOR word of mouth word of mouth

Kin

g L

eo X

erx

es

THE SCALE: On a scale of King Leo to Xerxes, we offer our thoughts on issues we couldn’t get into the paper.

GOT PINK WEEK:“Senior survival” students had this past week dedicated to breast cancer for Mrs. Clifford.

TRICK-OR-EAT:NHS is holding a food drive for students to collect cans for people who are in need of food.

TOTS EAT: Theatre held a party on Oct. 22nd to collect canned food for the less fortunate.

COSTA RICA TRIP:Spanish students traveled to Costa Rica over fall break to do many activites such as hiking and ziplining.

SOLES FOR SOULS:Old shoes are wanted so that those who are in need can have fresh water to drink.

Cartoon by Alli Keisker

9Be HeardOctober 29, 2010Page design by Destiny Pipkin

FHCtoday.com/BeHeard Central Focus

I once wondered what age I would get married. I think everyone does. Now, though, I am seeing that age has been lowered

dramatically by people in our own schools. Students

are getting engaged in high school now, as unbelievable as that seems.

Why would people decide so early in life who they want to be with for the rest of their lives? Then again, why is society forcing us to choose a career path at the same time? It seems some teenagers are taking things too quickly, but choosing a career at this age has very similar effects on the rest of their lives.

I am one of those people who thinks “sure, if you are really positive that this is what you want to do, then go ahead and do it,” but I do not believe that many people in high school put the thought into it that is necessary for the proper conclusion.

Just because you love them now, by no means guarantees you will love them in ten years, though it is possible you will.

To add onto this, I strongly feel that as the number of student couples becoming engaged rises, so will the school pregnancy rate. Though I may be all right with being engaged, being pregnant is a completely different topic. When it comes down to it, a relationship should never hinder a student’s studies, and being pregnant

will do more than just that.I now want to point out some long

term possibilities have been mentioned. The emotional effect this can have on anybody at any age, but especially in us

high school students who have raging hormones and the occasional mood swing from time to time.

Not being sure is a red flag not to say yes quite yet. Don’t feel pressured

not to hurt your partner’s feelings. Would it hurt more knowing your trusted partner promised to love you forever and broke that precious promise? It would for me.

Once again, I am all for it if serious thought is put in; however, take into consideration what the effects of this decision could be before you say yes.

Engagements taken less thoughtful

A high school boy proposes to his girlfriend during passing period. High school engagements seem to have been becoming a fad over the years.

Log onto Facebook near the deadline of any English paper, and you will see a flood of statuses from students who waited until the

last minute to write their papers. You

see that many students are resorting to sparknotes.com in order to write their papers.

Now I know you all are probably expecting me to go on some kind of crusade about time management or something along the lines of procrastination. But, I feel that there is a larger issue at stake: the lack of actual reading. English teachers assign novels to students so they can read the piece, so they can experience what has made this work of art so timeless. Whether it be

literature, non-fiction, or essays, all pieces of writing serve a purpose for the student.

They are meant to be read and discovered, and there is a whole lot more that can be learned from a novel than what could be read on sparknotes.com. While Sparknotes provides an accurate source of plot material, reading a summary on a computer screen cannot even begin to capture the emotion and tone that is evident when reading the actual novel.

Now I must admit that I am guilty of using sparknotes for a paper in the past (sorry, Mrs. Odle). But I have matured and I realized that I enjoy a novel so much more if I am actually reading it. Also, my essay scores and my test scores have increased since I started actually reading the novels that are being assigned in class.

Using sparknotes.com can be beneficial in the short term and it

is a great tool to use after you have finished reading a novel in order to get a better grasp on it. However, if you are not taking the time to actually read the novel, you are truly missing out.

Sure, taking the time to read through a novel may not be the most exciting way to spend your time, but sparknotes and similar websites cannot possibly supply the breadth of information that can be discovered by reading the novel.

So, the next time you are up late working on a paper, exit out of the internet and actually open up the book.

By Cory Schmitt Print Executive

Editor

Photo illustration by Mikelle McClintock

Using sparknotes to compensate for reading is distasteful

Cartoon by Alli Keisker

By Victoria Walker

Staff Reporter

10 Be Heard October 29, 2010 Page design by Alli Keisker

FHCtoday.com/BeHeardCentral Focus

Unpreparedfrom page 7

People need to realize that a lot of the time their decisions won’t just affect them right then and there, but will affect their life as a whole. Students at our school take the easy way out and don’t challenge themselves in high

school because it’s too much work, and then once they get to college it’s like a smack in the face because they don’t have the teacher there to hold their hand through everything, they’re lucky if the teacher even knows their name. By taking classes that appear to be more difficult by many students, you are actually helping yourself a lot of the

time, because you will learn more and strengthen yourself as a student, which will potentially help you get into better colleges. The decisions we make in high school affect us later on in life too, and by being that slacker kid in high school, you could end up being that loser who does nothing with their life and is forced to sleep on their

parents couch the rest of their life, all because they decided to be unprepared in high school.

Whether you realize it or not, your actions affect others, and by being unprepared for this, they changed life for a lot of people. There are certain situations in life that can be avoided, and if they

can’t be avoided, at least people can learn to anticipate for these things to happen. Maybe from now on we’ll prepare ourselves for instances like this so that we can stop future situations from happening; it ’s better to be prepared than unprepared because bad things don’t always have to happen.

As the world surrounds itself with technology, populations are becoming more and more centered around a virtual life. Whether they are ordering food, meeting their potential soul mate or gaining debt through excessive online shopping, humans are growing more and more inclined to partake in online communication.

While I do have to admit my

phone rarely leaves my side, it is nice to just put down my phone and talk to someone. It’s understandable texting someone may be more appealing when the conversation may be a tad bit awkward, but some conversations shouldn’t take place via text or Facebook.

Such conversations would be those in which you plan on 1: asking someone out, 2: confess your love, 3: break-up or 4: tell someone that you cheated on them with their best friend (you shouldn’t do that in the first place, but that’s a completely different story). 3 and 4 will make you seem cowardly and the possibility of hashing up whatever friendship you may have is gone; one and two will just be a letdown to the person.

If you are a boy — write this down — while some girls may not want to admit it, all of us have some want for romance, so we’d rather be asked out in person.

Now, don’t get me wrong, some people are much more charming when winky faces can be used. When a guy acts suave and flirtatious via text, it normally means they are completely awkward in person. This is true for Facebook, too. While online dating may be growing in popularity, there’s just something creepy about a random guy you see in the hallways adding you on Facebook and then hitting on you.

Texting and Facebook may be great for keeping updated on your

friend’s lives, but when you are wanting to build a long lasting connection with someone, those things will just get in the way.

When you are constantly texting someone, you can’t truly get to know them. like you

could if you were talking face-to-face. You can’t look at the person in the

eyes, you can’t hear their voice. Lack of actual communication with a person

has killed the romance that we read about in novels and see in the

movies. As a result of the growing

influence of media and technology on our lives, girls

continue to get more and more creeped out by internet stalkers and long-lasting relationships become

more and more rare. So boys, even though we

may not admit it, be cheesy, be lovey, be

romantic.

By Margaret Borgmeyer

The Scene Editor

Love lines tangledElectronics, relationships become more

intertwined each day with teenagers

frid

ay

we

dn

esd

ay

mo

nd

ay

Meet the bloggers at

Cory Schmitt

Read as Cory talks about his journey through senior year.tu

esd

ay

thu

rsda

y

Victoria Walker

Read as Victoria

tests different

types of facial

cleansers.

Kyle Braden

Read as Kyle gives

advice on ways to get in shape.

Read as Anna gives

opinions on

music.

Anna Gingrich

Brendan Kinnison

Read as Brendan analyzes

the aspects of humanity.

Photo Illustration by Michael Roundcount

11AdvertisementsOctober 29, 2010Page design by Michael Roundcount

FHCtoday.com/Advertise Central Focus

Go to FHCtoday.com to see the latest breaking news, sports scores, photo galleries

of school-related events and much more.

WANT TO SEE MORE?

20Nov

embe

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Smile pretty seniors!

All seniors must have their senior photo taken

at Prestige Portraits by Nov. 20. Call

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12 In Focus September 17, 2010 Photos by Kelci Davis, Cory Schmitt, Mikelle McClintock and Creative Commons

FHCtoday.com/PrintCentral Focus CF

AcrophobiaAcrophobia is a fear or dread of being at a great height.

“You’re high up and when you are falling there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing you can bounce back on. You’re dead. You are pretty much hopeless; you’re going against gravity. You’ll never

win,”senior Michael McPartland said.

OphidiophobiaOphidiophobia is an irrational fear of snakes.

“It all started when I was bit on my foot by a snake when I was about six. It was out at the lake by my grandpa’s house. When I was a freshman I had a teacher who had a snake. I had to move

seats because it bothered me so much,” junior Nathan Ward said.

Phobic frenzy

TrypanophobiaA fear of being injected or being near needles.“When I was little I watched some scary movie and this lady was trying to poke people’s eyes out with long needles. I have been afraid ever since,” senior Jasmane Franklin said.

Lives of students, teachers impacted by everyday fears

A phobia is an irrational, intense and persistent fear of certain situations and is classified as a common anxiety disorder by the National Institute of

Mental Health. Phobias are generally classified as emotional responses because of a previous difficult life experience.

Explore this page to find out more about the most common phobias and how they affect the lives of students at FHC.

CF 13In FocusSeptember 17, 2010Page design by Cory Schmitt

FHCtoday.com/Print Central Focus

CoulrophobiaCoulrophobia is an abormal or

exaggerated fear of clowns, often developing while young.

“I went to a haunted house and there was a whole room full of clowns. They’re just creepy, I don’t like them at

all,” senior Madeline Ragsdale said.

EntomophobiaEntomophobia is a fear of being

around or coming in contact with insects or similar anthropods, often causing a form of panic attack.

“When I was little, bees used to attack my house. I

have been afraid of them ever since,” senior Tara Marty said.

AquaphobiaAquaphobia is a dread of water or

what lurks in it.“I tense up when I swim in water over my head. I do not have much self confidence that I won’t drown when I go into water over my head,” business teacher Ms. Kay

Neal said.

ClaustrophobiaClaustrophobia is a situational phobia developed from unpleasant experiences in tight, enclosed spaces.“I don’t like being in a setting with large groups of people. I don’t like to feel like I’m being trapped, and I hyperventilate if I go into an elevator,” junior Maddie Mendel said.

Lives of students, teachers impacted by everyday fears

ArachnophobiaAn abnormal, persistent fear of spiders, it is one of the most prevalent phobias in society; it is more prevalent in women, affecting approximately 50 percent of women and 10 percent of men, according to Wikipedia.“There’s the whole part that they could be anywhere and then they could attack and poison you,” senior Kelsey Rogers said.

14 In Focus October 29, 2010 Page design by Cory Schmitt

FHCtoday.com/PrintCentral Focus

By Margaret Borgmeyer and Cory Schmitt

TheScene Editor and Print Executive Editor

It’s a natural human instinct to experience fear. To fear a situation, to fear the future. Fears affect everyone, but very few people are aware of the mental processes that are involved when the body becomes afraid of something.

Even when searched on Google, fear is defined as a emotion brought upon by one feeling threatened. After first glance, it is seen that fear is something more intricate than a simple feeling but is the entire body at work to bring on such a immense emotion.

According to sptimes.com, when a shocking sound or strange shape is sensed, information captured by the stimulus is sent to the Thalamus.

The Thalamus is most commonly thought to be a messenger of sorts between various sub-cortical areas and the cerebral cortex.

According to Psychology Today, Information received by the Thalamus is then sent as a notification via the autonomic nervous system to the Amygdala.

According to sptimes.com, the Amygdala “acts as protector of the body; the A m y g d a l a put the body on ‘red alert’ when notified of a threat.”

The A m y g d a l a f u n c t i o n s primarily in the processing of emotional events.

When the brain is notified of such threats, its first reaction is to freeze; a human’s

subconscious knows that fixing one’s self in one position can

mislead the threat. Messages are then sent

to the heart, telling it to pump blood faster and

faster. This action is the

feeling of one’s “heart racing.” As blood is pumped faster throughout the body, the body’s t e m p e r a t u r e begins to raise and the body begins to sweat.

The skin becomes pale.

The sensation of “goosebumps”

overcome the body and the stomach

seems to “drop” as the face becomes flush, a result

of blood vessels dilating. Blood

pressure is rising, the eyes are dilating and eyebrows raise.

Glucose and blood are pumped into the muscles to help the body prepare for any quick and powerful action it may have to take.

The senses become sharper and the brain becomes more observant so one will be more aware of the surroundings around them.

The point at which a fear of a situation develops into a phobia is not a set in stone dot, according to confidencemanual.com.

But at some point, the continuing presence of this fear will develop further and build into a phobia.

Studies show that the point at which a fear can become a phobia varies and that it may depend on the genetics of that person. It is also speculated that since the Amygdala connects memory with emotion, that it creates a fixed sense of fear in the person, according to confidencemanual.com.

The anatomy of becoming afraid

Illustration by Wikimedia Commons

Thalasmus, autonomic nervous system, amygdala, other parts of the brain transform an intial emotion into a physical reaction to danger

Sweat 15

Ragsdale, Adams make it to state tournament p. 16 Golf shows camaraderie p. 17

Central Focus FHCtoday.com/Sweat Page design by Ellen HinzeOctober 29, 2010

By Ellen HinzeSweat Editor

Being bigger, faster and stronger is the goal for most football teams. They work out in the weight room to achieve the “stronger” status. They run the track to achieve the “faster” status. And with this hard work they become bigger. Their diets change to protein based meals for muscle gain. In football, the bigger you are, the easier it is to break the line of scrimmage, but for the Spartans, it is just the opposite. Two players at the height of 5’9” and 5’6”, Kaleb Cooper and Emmanuel Rivera are taking on the big guys.

The Francis Howell Central Spartan football team’s starting running backs are not the normal size. Instead of being the big runners of the team, Cooper and Rivera are small and agile.

“Bigger guys can rush the ball and gain 2-3 yards per play, but the smaller guys can go into a space and gain

more on some and less on others,” said Head Coach Todd Berck.

He says the desire and passion for the sport is more important than size although the size can help. Cooper and Rivera are proof that desire and passion along with talent can come in a small package.

“I don’t need to be bigger. Speed is everything when it comes to football. I make people miss. They think I am going to run hard, but I don’t. I juke them,” said Cooper.

Early enthusiasmWrestling team begins training for the season to come

By Julianna SmithStaff Reporter

Francis Howell Central’s wrestling team has finished in third place in state the past two

years. This season, Head Coach Steve Cross and the team would like to pursue the title of the best by practicing two months before the season to attain their goal of state champions. This season’s

practice revolves around technique, conditioning, strategy, and endurance.

There is one primary goal for this year’s wrestling team.

“Coach Cross really wants us to be state champs this year,” said senior Justin Dickey.

According to Coach Cross, the only way is with a lot of practice, so the team is practicing two months before the season.

According to senior Andy King, this preparation is also for tournaments and college opportunities for the seniors.

“Practice makes perfect,” said sophomore Marcus Rudiger.

The team practices four times a week off season, in which each practice is approximately two-and-a-half hours

Please read more | Enthusiasm, PAGE 17

Smaller, quicker, smarter

Please read more | Smaller, PAGE 18Photo by Kelci Davis

Struggling to hold a 45-pound weight over his head, senior Luke Knoche lets the strain show across his face during wrestling practice. The team started out with jogging and 60 pull-ups before going into weight lifting and finally finished off by running on the track.

Kaleb Cooper

Emanuel Rivera

16 Sweat October 29, 2010 Page design by Kelci Davis

FHCtoday.com/SweatCentral Focus

It takes twoAdams, Ragsdale become first girls tennis players to reach state

Photo illustrations by Michael Roundcount

Senior Madeline Ragsdale and sophomore Kourtlyn Adams became the first girls tennis players in school history to qualify for the state tennis tournament earlier this month. The duo participated in the tournament Oct. 22-23 in Springfield, dropping both of their matches. “The teams at state were amazing,” Adams said. “Everyone there was like a pro.”

By Claire HendersonCopy Manager

Senior Madeline Ragsdale and sophomore Kourtlyn Adams made history by becoming the first tennis doubles team in school history to qualify for the state tournament. They played in the District 7 tournament over fall break, winning their final game against Parkway Central, which was the highlight of the duo’s season, according to Adams.

“We almost lost that match, but we had our team there to support us,” Adams said.

The girls placed second in District 7, which sent them to play against Fort Zumwalt West, the first place team in District 8. The girls defeated FZW 7-6, 6-4, and as a result, qualified for state.

“It was unexpected,” said Adams. “I just wanted to play hard.”

Ragsdale is the No. 3 singles player, and Adams is the No. 1 singles player, but their coach, Mr. Patrick Reed, entered them into the district tournament as a doubles team. They have been playing together as a doubles team all year, in addition to their duties at two of the team’s top singles players.

“It was a no-brainer,” said Mr.

Reed. “They like playing doubles.”The girls play well together

because of their own individual talents, according to Ragsdale.

“Kourtlyn serving and me playing at the net wins us a lot of games,” said Ragsdale.

Coach Reed agrees that they each have their own strengths that got them where they are now, and they will contribute to their performance at the tournament.

“They both have unique skills,” said Coach Reed. “Madeline is a superior net player, and Kourtlyn is an incredible baseline player, so when you have those skills together, you have a formidable doubles team.”

Their success also comes from moral support from each other and the rest of the Lady Spartans tennis team. Though both Adams and Ragsdale have been on the team for

two years, Ragsdale, being a senior, is able to support Adams when she gets frustrated or has a bad play.

“Everytime [Kourtlyn] gets down on herself, I just try to let her know that its okay and that she’ll get the

next one,” said Ragsdale.

A d a m s recognizes and a p p r e c i a t e s R a g s d a l e ’ s support on and off the court.

“She always tells me to calm down, she’s a cheerleader on the court, and she is always happy or telling a joke,” Adams said. “Our relationship as partners [makes

us successful].” Both Adams and Ragsdale will

admit that they struggled through obstacles to get where they are today.

“What we tried to overcome was beating Howell, which didn’t work,” said Adams. “But Howell didn’t go to state!”

The girls fought their way to the finish and stood proud in the end.

“After losing to Timberland a bunch of times, we kept our heads up; we kept fighting,” said Ragsdale.

Adams and Ragsdale competed at state in Springfield on Oct. 22-23. They played two matches, both of which they lost. The competition was more fierce than the girls had ever experienced, according to Adams.

While competing at state, the girls experienced feelings they had not felt during competition before.

“I got nervous, and I never get nervous. I had butterflies,” said Adams. “There was pressure to win because there were crowds watching and scouts watching.”

Though competition was tough, the duo remembered that it was all about having fun and supporting each other. The score did not matter as much to them once they had taken a step back.

“I had a lot of fun with Kourtlyn,” Ragsdale said. “We get along really well.”

The partnership has been successful for many reasons, the most important being support for each other, according to Adams.

“We’re always cheering one another on.”

QualifyingThe girls defeated FZW’s

top doubles team in districts 7-6, 6-4, and as a result,

qualified for state.

— Coach Patrick Reed

“ Madeline is a

superior net player

and Kourtlyn is

an incredible

baseline player.

Together, you

have a formidable

doubles team. ”

StateAt state, Adams and

Ragsdale lost to pairs from Pattonville H.S. and

Rock Bridge H.S.

Overall Ragsdale and Adams

had a record of 12-15 as a doubles team after the

state tournament.

17SweatOctober 29, 2010Page design by Julianna Smith

FHCtoday.com/Sweat Central Focus

Two of the practices are open gym days, the other two are conditioning days. During the season, the team practices 6-7 days a week, according to Dickey. According to wrestlers, practice is unlike any other practice.

“Wrestling is not really a sport where you do the same thing constantly, we train in different drills and conditioning to be c o m p l e t e l y ready,” said King.

W h e n conditioning days come a r o u n d , p r a c t i c e s consists of w a r m - u p s , drills (groups of two or three), and techniques of many kinds. A c c o r d i n g to Rudiger, practice starts up with a 30-40 minute warm-up at each practice. Then they proceed to 30-40 minutes of “Live”. Next the MMA fighter “Rocket” comes in to train with them on conditioning. Following this, they hit the track for track runs and sprints.

Next the team does a drill with consists of lifting tire circuits, which is where they take turns as a group and individually lifting tires.

A huge use of endurance is used as they transition their practice to many push-ups, sit-ups, and timed drills, where they work for speed.

However, on open gym days, the wrestlers basically workout freely, with some team workouts all together.

Endurance is the whole philosophy and purpose for the team in the weight room. The weight room is basically open gym for each individual, so they can build on what they feel they need to work on.

Coach Cross has always pushed his team, and this year, According to Rudiger, practices can get tough.

“We are sore for a couple days after conditioning, and premiere fitness is

pretty hard,” said Rudiger.

In a c o m p e t i t i o n , g e n e r a l l y intimidation is a factor. According to King and R u d i g e r , intimidation is a factor amongst themselves and other players, but they have to remember what you practiced and worked for, and keep going.

“I do get i n t i m i d a t e d , but I try to get

around it,” said King. “Before it starts you feel the intimidation, but once it actually starts, you just have to focus on what your doing.”

However, according to Dickey intimidation is not much of a factor in wrestling.

“I don’t think intimidation is too much of a factor because we’ve been in the top for the past five years so we are basically undefeated.”

Wrestling is the composition of the physical ability, passion, endurance, strategy, and technique. according to Rudiger,

“Anyone with a decent amount of athletics can do it, it is just a lot of mental work also, that people don’t realize,” said Rudiger.

Senior Justin Dickey lifts weights in open gym wrestling practice with his teammates to prepare for the season. Dickey has been on the wrestling team for four years.

Enthusiasmfrom page 15

By Kyle BradenStaff Reporter

The thrill in the air, the buzz, the excitement. The roar of the crowd inspires the team to run faster, hit harder, and strive to win.

The girls golf team has been attending other sport games, as a team, in hopes of raising school spirit.

“It’s a ‘lead by example’ deal,” said senior and golf captain Emily Klobe, “We as a golf team hope to promote school spirit by showing everyone that other sports matter to us, not just ours.” The golf team’s positive efforts have

not gone unnoticed by other athletes. “Our school needs more school spirit and the golf team has helped,” said varsity soccer player Tim McCormick, a junior. Thus far, the golf team has been to a girls varsity tennis match and a boys varsity soccer game. They also intend to attend a varsity volleyball game. “Personally I don’t like watching sports because I’d rather play them, I go because it’s fun to hang out with my friends on the golf team,” said junior Emily Carroll. “I do think that us going does help encourage the players to do better.”

Some sports players do not fully agree that the crowd affects the players. “I wouldn’t say that the girl’s golf team coming to the games helps me play better,” said McCormick, “I’m just too focused on playing the game.” Junior Mara Drimak, a tennis player, finds that she gets her drive to play from the girls golf team. “I think the girls golf team is a wonderful support. I loved their cheering and pretty signs. I felt more inspired to play better while the golf team was cheering us on because if your fans are excited you get excited as well.”

Golf team drives spirit up to par

“ Wrestling

is not really a

sport where you

do the same

thing constantly.

We train with

different drills and

conditioning to be

completely ready.”— senior Andy King


During the final home football game, the stands erupt in cheers when junior Jayden Lumpa makes a 20-yard run. The golf team attended this game to help cheer on the Spartans.


Smaller team tries to improve spirit by attending other teams games

18 Sweat October 29, 2010 Page design by Jolie Denton

FHCtoday.com/SweatCentral Focus

Turning Points

Key points of games from the past 30 days

Football beats Timberland in Homecoming game

Boys soccer lose a heartbreaker

to Howell“You can’t win without that 12th man. They help you. They drive you to win.”

— senior Jonathan Langford.

Questionable call mars defeat to Francis Howell in

penalty kick shootout on Oct. 21.

I think there is so much emphasis on the football team because so many people have played it.

It’s also a big motivator in the school with so many players on the team. People know they can

always find out about how the team is doing.

Unfortunately, for smaller sports like golf and tennis there is not a lot of information announced. I myself have been on the girls golf team for three years, and when announcements have been made about the golf team, people would tell me “I didn’t know you were on the golf team.”

This feels like “Wow, there goes three years of playing and not even being recognized for even playing.”

The girls golf team has had a great season and so has the girls tennis team. Both teams have team members going to state.

That is a great accomplishment. It is exciting to hear that for the first time in Francis Howell Central history, the lady Spartans tennis team is going to state.

When the announcements are

on, students can’t usually hear them in class. Either because teachers are talking or people are being so loud and obnoxious that people who actually would like to hear them can not. But when larger sports teams are being announced, they tend to listen.

Football is a national sport where more people would like to

see tackling and physical impact between players.

Other sports like cross country, golf, and tennis are not contact sports so they do not get as much attention.

Also, these sports don’t get a lot of recognition. Most of their games are during the week and many people do not know where or when the games take place.

Most people want to see the varsity football games. For the varsity football, their home games usually start at 7pm on Friday nights and it gets announced on the intercom in both the morning and at the end of the day. These games are in primetime for when people are free.

For other sports, not a lot of announcements are made for students to know when and where the games are taking place until after the games have played. These sports are just as deserving of attention as the larger sports.

Tackling more attentionAt the last home game of the season, the football fans came out to support their Spartan football players. Despite high hopes, the Spartans lost 41-0 against Howell.

By Jolie DentonStaff Reporter

Photo by Ellen Hinze

Both Cooper and Rivera hold the offensive line men responsible for their success.

“They block their hearts off for the success of the team,” said Rivera.

Berck also chooses plays to better utilize the skills of the smaller players.

“We run the triple option which takes advantage of the player’s speed and makes the defense play something we call ‘responsibility football,’” said Berck. “The defense would have to key onto all the players.”

The linemen’s goals are to block the offensive team from the getting the ball and keeping the big offensive line men from making a tackle on the smaller lineman.

“Bigger would be better but I have my speed. It’s the edge I use to outrun the defense,” said Rivera.

Smallerfrom page 15

Fans watch as the boys soccer team takes on the Francis Howell Vikings. The game was tied at 2-2 after an overtime period, so the game was decided in a penalty kick shootout, which the Spartans lost.

Photo by Jolie Denton

Senior Kaleb Cooper attempts to break a tackle during the Spartans game against CBC. The football team found success by taking advantage of the speed and agility of players like Cooper, junior Jayden Lumpa and senior Emanuel Rivera on offense.

Photo by Kayla Labarge

Scene 19

Definition of horror redefined p. 20 Loud music poses risk to listener p. 21

Central Focus FHCtoday.com/TheScene Page design by Margaret BorgmeyerOctober 29, 2010

The

By Karley CanovaStaff Reporter

Walking through the darkening streets of a neighborhood, children peer through a scary mask or make-up. It is cold, but the little ones do not care. They run, screaming happily; slow to approach the glow of a porch light, which signifies a participating household. The doorbell

sounds off, and a moment later, hand fulls of candy are being poured into their baggies. They scamper away with smiles; anxiously awaiting the neighbooring house to answer their door and add more to their candy collection.

Halloween. It seems to have a similar meaning to many people, whether it is for candy, to be someone

else for a night, or just hanging out with friends. Since it originated from demonic means, into the modern - day partying and haunted houses, ideas have changed.

“It was important when I was smaller,” said sophomore Kelsey Singleton, “I could dress up as stuff and my parents wouldn’t judge me.”

It is a typical idea to see Halloween

as a simple holiday, filled with the costumes and candy.

“It meant more than getting free candy - it was a time of dressing up in ridiculous costumes!” said sophomore, Mallory Stern. “It was about having fun and showing the immaturity in myself!”

Please read more | Evolution, PAGE 22

Halloween traditions modernizeWANT TO SEE MORE?

visit

Online

reviews

“Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry

Pumpkin crunchRecipes add a new flavor to the holiday season

By Mikelle McClintockCommunications Editor

W ith Halloween and Thanksgiving quickly approaching, many families

prepare for friends and family to visit their homes.

Some may choose to continue baking the traditional sugar cookies decorated with orange icing to resemble

pumpkins; some may continue to make that forever loved apple pie; some may continue to simply go to the store to buy the desserts of their choice. But for those who are brave enough to experiment, adding those ingredients that just “sound good” with the originals are key.

By choosing ingredients based off of the flavors commonly associated with fall,

a simple dish can be made to embody the holiday season as a whole. Many classic recipes, such as simple yellow cake, have been spiced up with the addition of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nuts.

Pumpkin Crunch cake does just that; it is a moist, yet crunchy, cake that goes great with coffee.

Please read more | Pumpkin, PAGE 23

More often than not, desserts seen at autumn parties consist of the common cupcakes with spider rings stuck in the icing or a big cookie cake with a ghost made out of icing. This new twist on a classic cake flavor piqued everyone’s interest with its buttery pecans and sweet pumpkin taste.

Photo by Mikelle McClintock

music

20 The Scene October 29, 2010 Page design by Destiny Pipkin

FHCtoday.com/TheSceneCentral Focus

Evolution of horrorinScariest horror movie villains!

By Destiny Pipkin

1. Freddy Krueger

“The Nightmare on Elm St.”

Series

2. Michael Myers

The “Halloween” series

3. JigsawThe “Saw”

Series

4. Norman Bates“Psycho”

5. Jack Torrence“The Shining”

6. Pennywise the Clown

“It”

7. Jason Vorhees

“Friday the 13th” series.

8. Count Dracula“Dracula” movies

9.Darth VaderThe “Star Wars”

series.

10. The Leprachaun

“Leprechaun”

11. ScreamThe “Scream”

series

12.Jeepers Creepers“Jeepers Creepers”

13. Demon“Paranormal

Activity”

14. Sharktopus“Sharktopus”

Movie

15. Willard“Willard”

16. Wicked Witch Of the

West“WizardOf Oz”

tun

e


Scary movie nights! The stormy nights when popcorn is popped, pizza is ordered, and friends gather to pull an all-nighter filled with scary movies. Everyone is there for the same reason: for the simple thrill student’s get from watching people strive to keep there life intact.

While every scary movie fan is in search of the same basic effect, some prefer the old scary movie style of suspense and mystery, while others prefer the new movies with straight-up gore. Scary movies have evolved and changed extremely over the last 60 years. From silent Nosferatu movies with boxes of dialogue placed intermittently between the action, to present day movies like Paranormal Activity, where the audience is put in the seat of the victim.

For some, like sophomore Jack Burgoyne, the thrill is simply the “what if ” factor.

“I like the newer scary movies like Paranormal Activity better, because I can actually relate to what is going on in the movie. Old movies are out-dated; I can not see myself in the situation.” said Burgoyne.

Bringing up the advantage of modern movies over earlier dated movies, society tends to base appeal on whether or not it can apply to our own lives. This is due to the fact that we no longer find ourselves in the same predicaments as people from the 30’s often found themselves in, and feared.

With advances in technology such as cell phones and GPS’s, it is not quite as frightening to get lost in a sketchy place. In order to keep up with times, the newer horror movie villains often drug their victims, then take phones and GPS’s while the victim is passed out. By doing this, it keeps fans like Burgoyne satisfied with a more realistic plot. However for others, a realistic plot is not exactly what they’re looking for.

“I feel like I don’t even have to think when I’m watching new movies, they just lay everything out for me.” said senior Adrianna Corcione.

Old horror film fans are seemingly disappointed with the lack of

imagination in their own generations’ more recent scary movies. They seem to be missing what some peole feel is the more essential aspect of “horror”, such as psychological mind games, atmosphere, and foreign creatures.

For others, they believe that it is the technology that has created a more intense scene for disaster in scary movies, like the Saw series.

“Newer movies have more technology, so they can m a k e

gorier scenes. I see it and think, if that was happening to me I would be like ‘WOAH!’” said sophomore C h r i s t o p h e r Schukar.

Is that all technology has done for us? Or have robots, blood spewing everywhere, and 3D vision replaced thought, suspense, and a valid storyline?

“I prefer older scary movies,” said senior Scotty Thomason. “They have better story lines. I guess the good story lines have just been used up.

All the new movies are just remakes of an old movie.”

Maybe the problem is that all the good story lines have been used, or maybe today’s generation just does not feel like it is necessary to have a good storyline when there is enough blood and gore in the movie.

We have evolved from horror movies in drive-ins about aliens and wax museums, to a boy becoming a serial killer and decapitating a girl simply over a bad break-up. Whether it is because our imaginations are dying, or if our priorities have changed, or if there is just a change in appeal from murder mysteries to gore, scary movies have changed from psychological thrillers into murder fests of blood and gore.

“ I prefer old scary

movies. The good

storylines have just

been used up. All

the new movies are

just remakes of an

old one.”— Scotty Thomason

Psychological thrillers of the past develop into the blood, gore of today

Cre

ati

ve

Co

mm

on

s

21The SceneOctober 29, 2010FHCtoday.com/TheScene Central Focus

By Patrick HurleyStaff Reporter

As technology improves throughout this day and age, so does our way of listening to music.

From radios to boomboxes to the pocket-sized mp3 players, the evolution has given us easier access to our favorite jams; however, all of this exposure to music could be leading to unforeseen impairments. Over the past 20

years, teenage auditory problems have increased

more than 30 percent. Many listeners don’t know

how loud is too loud, damaging their hearing in some cases

permanently. Anything above the 80 decibel point is harmful to

the ears. To have a comparison, 80 decibels is roughly the sound level of an alarm clock.

Prolonged vulnerability to even this level of noise can be

stressful to ears. Many ignore this risk, saying that it’s

inevitable if even this volume of sound

can hurt their hearing.

“It’s going to happen eventually,” says Ryan Silver, sophomore. “They’ll have some sort of surgery [to correct hearing impairments] by the time it really takes effect, anyway.”

Silver owns an iPod Nano, which maxes out at 100-115 dB. What you stick in your ear also plays a major role in hearing loss as well. Due to the fact that they are closer to the ear drum, ear-buds are actually more harmful than headphones.

“I don’t really mind ‘loud’ music” says Annie Banks, mother of two sophomores. “I just worry about iPods and the damage from the headphones.”

Studies have shown it takes only about an hour to do severe damage to the ears at the decibels we listen to our music.

Due to a lawsuit issued to Apple over hearing loss, France pulled iPods off shelves to install an updated software that keeps the volume at 100dB: however, the

United States has not followed in this adjustment.

Other students find themselves listening to loud music on the way to school. While to them it may not seem “loud,” car stereos can reach 120 dB, almost to the point of permanent hearing damage.

To some students, however, they find solace in their booming music. Many students feel that it keeps them sane on those “dark and creepy rides home.”

“I hate driving alone,” said Rachel Braun, junior. “If my music’s loud, I’m not as nervous. It actually keeps me more focused.”

For other students, the loud music gives them a way to escape from issues their having.

“I like to get lost in the songs I like, that’s why I listen to mine louder,” said Silver. That escapism comes with a cost, though.

If you have ever came home from a concert, your ears ringing, you’ve suffered from what’s called Tinnatus, a sensation of noises in your ears.

When you listen to loud music, you actually kill tiny hair cells deep in your ear which respond to sound waves picked up by your ears. The death of these cells causes a “buzzing” that is not actually there. The longer and louder the exposure is, the more damage there is.

The term “musician” in this day and age covers an immense portion of the public. There is such scarce o r ig ina l i t y present on

the music scene that one might question whether a person could call themselves a true musical artist.

A true musical artist is a person who loves music. This person will take the time to write the words, play the melody, and fuse it all together into something they can truthfully be proud of: a song.

When the radio is tuned to any mainstream station, it is easy

to detect the songs which utilize the auto-tune microphone.

An auto-tune mic alters the human voice to correct it, and automatically tunes it to the correct pitch.

People who use it could be considered those who lack the ability to sing on pitch altogether. This then begs the question of why t h e y w o u l d write songs in the first place. Talented citizens of the world take the time to turn themselves into artists, so what is it that people with no talent do?

Another issue on the music scene today is that artists cannot conjure up enough interest to write their own lyrics. However, they do have enough money from their first album (the phase of “pre-I’m kind of a big deal”) to pay the next guy to write some

c a t c h y

lyrics and beats for them to drop.

There are then those artists who use both the auto-tune mic and another lyricist for their own songs. These “artists” include T-Pain and Lil Wayne. They both rap on the mainstream music scene.

Other mainstream artists who are not rappers that use the auto-tune mic include Owl City and Ke$ha. These artists, though they write their own songs, either rely on the mic for accuracy in pitch, or use it as an interesting effect.

Either way, the auto-tune mic is present in almost every artist’s recording process. However, the effect can either be positive or

negative. There is a difference between making the microphone your source for a

good song, or, granted that it was good in the

first place, adding it to make the song

b e t t e r than it originally was.

Crank it upStudents push their hearing to the limit

“[Losing your

hearing] is going to

happen eventually.”— sophomore Ryan Silver

Losing music’s personal touch

Page design by Patrick Hurley

vo16 most original songs

By Anna Gingrich

1. “White Blank Page”

Mumford & Sons

2. “We Tigers” Animal

Collective

3. “Animal”Mike Snow

4. “Starts With One”

Shiny Toy Guns

5. “Polite Dance Song”

The Bird and the Bee

6. “If I’m James Dean, You’re Audrey

Hepburn”Sleeping With

Sirens

7. “Comfortably Confused” I See Stars

8. “Treasure Island”

Brighten

9. “Fever” Family Force 5

10. “I Just Wanna Live”

Good Charlotte

11. “Tonight”Lyyke Li

12. “Fell in Love Without You” Motion City Soundtrack

13. “Extinction” I Am

Abomination

14. “Diamond Girl”

Ryan Leslie

15. “Annie” Safety Suit

16. “All Things Go”

Tom Quinn

lum

e

Photo Illustration by Patrick Hurley

By Anna GingrichCopy Manager

Cre

ati

ve

Co

mm

on

s

22 The Scene October 29, 2010 Page design by Kamrie Reed

FHCtoday.com/TheSceneCentral Focus

Mr. Bob Storts, a teacher in the art department, remembers that as a child most of the costumes and treats were home made.

“It wasn’t strange to get home made treats,” said Storts, “and more costumes were home made. They weren’t as elaborate.”

Now, whenever a child is running from house to house, if the treat isn’t store packaged, it is considered hazardous.

For others, as a child, Halloween was not much of a widely celebrated holiday. In one girl’s neighborhood, the kids were scarcely involved in trick - or - treating.

“It was mainly old people, and they didn’t want to buy candy or decorate,” said

sophomore Kelsey Colley. Years later, those children have grown,

and they have changed. It seems as if Halloween is not based around sweets anymore.

For Singleton, she remembers trick - or - treating with her brother, and a fairly small amount of kids. Now, most of them have moved on, moved out, and left her to experience a quiet Halloween on her street.

“Everyone says when you get older, you can’t trick - or - treat. But I think it was just a way to have fun,” said Singleton.

Jennifer Lee, an employee at the local Spirit Halloween Store, does not think you can be too old to go get dressed up.

“I’m going trick - or - treating, and hell, I’m twenty years old,” said Lee.

Maybe it’s that kids do not quite understand the soul purpose in the spirit of Halloween.

“What’s fun about Fairy Princesses? I wanna see Scream come back, bloody axes, Freddy and Jason!” said Colley. “Halloween just isn’t scary anymore.”

The people, the places, the tricks, the treats - they all are altered in the passing of time.

“I want more people to participate,” said Stern, “Too many people just get drugged up.”

Besides the changes in the participants, Halloween has different means of decor and places to be.

As children, the main decor consisted of fake spiderwebs, flashing lights, plastic body parts and caution tape.

“There’s definitely more animatronics,” said Stephanie Smith, an employee at Spirit Halloween Store. “It’s really for scaring the pee out of yourself!”

Inside, Spirit Halloween consists of life - size figures of classic horror movie

characters. Freddy Krueger, PinHead, Micheal Myers and Jason Vorhees all start up at the press of a button, with several sayings and well - known theme songs. The whole idea for the new technology is to create a scare for Halloween ghouls and guys.

“It pumps your blood!” said Singleton.When Mr. Storts was a kid, haunted

houses were not a part of his Halloween experience. Now, according to Storts, it’s a big attraction. This year, Storts plans to stay home with his son and watch horror movies, while switching off with his wife to take his younger trick - or - treater out and about. While he has never been much of a Halloween fan, the art department goes “overboard with costumes,” according to Storts.

“There’s... pressure to participate,” said Storts, “and if you don’t, you’re kind of a stick in the mud.”

Evolutionfrom page 19

my sty

le What a girl likesT he staff of the Central Focus surveyed girls at school to find out what qualities they

look for in a guy. Here’s what they found out after surveying several hundred girls.

Do you prefer skinny jeans or baggy sweat pants?

7171 percent preferred baggy

sweat pants29 percent preferred

skinny jeans

Do you prefer big muscles or skinny arms?

7272 percent preferred

big muscles28 percent preferred

skinny arms

Do you prefer your guy have facial hair or be clean shaven?


clean shaven.33 percent preferred

facial hair.

Do you prefer glasses or braces?

100100 percent

preferred glasses over braces

Do you prefer Harry Potter or Twilight?

8383 percent preferred the

Harry Potter series17 percent preferred

the Twilight series

Do you prefer six-pack abs or flabs?


six-pack abs8 percent preferred

flabs

Do you prefer a sweater vest or a polo shirt?

6969 percent preferred a

sweater vest29 percent preferred

a polo shirt

Do you prefer earrings or gauges?


earrings29 percent preferred

gages

By Victoria Walker

Staff Reporter

Lolita, the Japanese clothing style of modesty and girlish appearance, is a diverse fashion statement from the Visual Kei music era. Lolita, also called Loli, is a fashion designed to cover skin and to look cute. Lolita contains dresses, coats, blouses, skirts, and in some styles pants. The styles consist of:CuteGothicCountryVictorianAlice (designed after “Alice in Wonder-land”)Classical

The colors depend more upon the style. Cute Lolita has pastel colors like baby blue, pale pink, light yellow, cream, mint green, and lavender. These often have prints with cute designs on them, such as cupcakes, cherries, teddy bears, or bunnies. Gothic Lolita, however, has darker colors such as black, maroon, and violet. Classical and Victorian are deep rich colors, Alice tends to follow red, black, or baby blue with a card print.Though practically unheard of here, this is really popular in Japan and among anime fans.

Lolita focuses on modesty

23The SceneOctober 29, 2010Page design by Cory Schmitt

FHCtoday.com/TheScene Central Focus

deStudents choose

alternative paths

By Margaret Borgmeyer

lish

You will need:

9x13 in. panLarge mixing bowl

1 box yellow cake mix15 oz. can of solid pack pumpkin

12 oz. can of evaporated milk3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups of sugar1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt1/2 cup of chopped pecans

1 cup of melted butter (or two sticks)Whipped topping of your choice

Baking preparations: Preheat the oven to 350

Grease bottom of 9x13 pan

Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt into large bowl

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Spicing up Halloween treatsAdding different ingredients and tastes to any classic recipe can

add to the flavor of fall get-togethers

By Mikelle McClintock Communications Editor

Photo by Mikelle McClintock

Pumpkin Crunch cake mixes the sweet taste of cinnamon with the unique pumpkin and chopped pecans flavoring; when topped with whipped cream, Pumpkin Crunch Cake can be the perfect dessert for a fall night. Making eccentric dishes for guests can be a stimulus for the senses, taking a typical holiday visit to an out-of-this-world experience for the taste buds.

After baking, let cool and serve chilled with choosen topping

12 Pour the mixture into the greased 9x13 pan

3Sprinkle cake mix lightly over the pan

4Top with 1/2 cup of pecans

5 Drizzle cup of melted butter over pecans

67

Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes, or until golden brown

With the time to turn in college applications approaching, students must decide what

schools will be most beneficial for the career

of their choice. Those applying

may choose state schools or universities, but for those who are artistically inclined a art

institute may be better suited.

“... they focus on just the

art, you learn exactly what you came to

learn. There are more interesting

teachers and people, who

want you to do whatever your

vision is.” - junior Sam

Kennedy

“An art institute surrounds you

with people who want to

try as hard as you. There

may not be as much diversity with majors,

but it is a better enviornment.”

- junior Melissa Mossinghoff

See more

reviews, recipes

and extras

on

24 Aperture October 29, 2010 Page design by Kelci Davis

FHCtoday.com/ApertureCentral Focus

‘A sad homecoming’On the morning of Thursday,

Oct. 21, the funeral procession for alumnus L.

Cpl. Phillip Vinnedge passed by the school in front of thousands of students

and faculty showing their support. Principal Sonny

Arnel called the procession “a sad homecoming.”

9:16: Dr. Sonny Arnel interrupts classes informing them of the plans. 9:17: Assistant Principal Marletha Davis sings “America the Beautiful,” over the intercom.9:19: Classes from FHC and Saeger dismiss to the campus. American flags are distributed on the way out. An ambulance, fire truck and police cars wait by the entrance to the school. 9:26: Sirens heard. 9:35: The funeral procession enters campus.9:40: The procession stops at the front of the school. “Taps” is played at the front entrance to the school. 9:41: The procession prepares to leave campus and drive to the Church of the Shepherd. 9:45: The procession exits campus.

Surrounded by thousands of students linning the street, police car 559 leads the funeral procession past the school. Having just left Baue Funeral Home, the procession went out of its way to pass the school on the way to the Church of the Shepard at the request of the Vinnedge family.

Photo by Jessy DiMariano

With dog tags hanging from her neck, senior Julie Diller solemnly watches the hearse pass by. Along with many others, Diller decided to dress up as a way to show respect.

Photo by Amber Roth

Wrapping her arm around senior Ashlee Broadland, English teacher Laurie Fay watches quietly as the procession for Lance Corporal Phillip Vinnedge goes by. “The whole procession was very moving and powerful to see the entire faculty and staff show their support for Vinnedge’s family. However, I was disappointed in those who did not participate because he was not just a soldier, but a son, a brother and a fellow member of the FHC family,” Ms. Fay said.

Photo by Amber Roth

Holding American flags, students of all grades observe the 101 Patriot Guard motorcycle riders preceding the hearse. Students were let out during fourth hour so they could show their respect for the fallen Marine.

Photo by Ellen Hinze

Holding a flag in one hand, sophomore Hannah Johnson wipes her tears as Mrs. Sara Martens stands by. Johnson was Vinnedge’s neighbor and left to attend his funeral after the procession left.

Photo by Amber Roth

Seniors Sydney Connor and Mary Beth Daughtery embrace after the procession. Many students were affected by the death, though most did not know Vinnedge.

Photo by Amber Roth

MORE COVERAGE ONLINEat

Keyword “Phillip Vinnedge”

Documents

Central Focus October 2010